See Faux Go

Birth of a New Day: Haleakala Crater, Maui
(Girls' Only Trip: Corsee, Chat and Christie)

It wasn't an easy proposition to wake up at 1am on our second night in Maui. Our days were already filled with plans to do 'nothing' but sit out by the pool, walk by the beach, read books, get pampered at the luxurious spa, eat and eat some more. But we did it so we could catch the 2am chartered tour bus that would take us to the top of Helealaka, 10,000 feet above sea level, to wait for the sun to rise as we shiver in 44 degrees Fahrenheit.

Over 30 years ago, I had the opportunity to drive up to Haleakala to see the sun rise. But I was only 19 years old and an excursion up to the mountain volcano with some cute guys was definitely not conducive to this higher form of contemplative exercise. And I wasn't ready for the spiritual treat that I was about to experience this time around.

It was pitch black when we arrived at the crater. There was a crowd already waiting. It was so cold my hands felt frozen. There was no clear horizon and with the clouds in the sky, we weren't sure what kind of sunrise we were going to be gifted by Mother Nature.

Then a thin orange line emerged on the horizon. And we waited. And waited. Soon the clouds in the sky became a beautiful smoky blue as a large portion dissipated. Stars and a couple of bright planets were still visible. It took what seemed like hours for the sun to finally appear. The skies turned all kinds of colours. I suddenly became aware of how clear the air was. I could see for miles and miles. The light of the emerging sun played with my eyes. It was spectacular.

For a moment, I stood in awe. I tried to hide my tears as I felt myself about to burst with gratitude for what I was about to see. Suddenly, the words came to my head: "...so you can see far off". For a brief moment there, a flow of thoughts came into my head.

The scriptures are full of references to land or promised lands that are 'far off'. On first blush, we take these literally. But I believe there is a deeper meaning to these references.

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.

But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. (Hebrews 11: 13-15)

The scriptures then begin to list great men like Isaac, Moses, Jacob and Joseph--men who saw the promises far off. These were men who were persuaded to obey all that God commanded them to do because they could see far off. Because they could see clearly. We even can conclude that most of them did not even receive the promises. Moses never made it to the promised land. Abraham only had two sons and passed on before he could see the promise made to him fulfilled. And yet, they all did what they were asked to do because they saw the 'land' far off.

Sometimes, as we go through challenges, it is hard to see far off. We begin to doubt and worry about contingencies. We worry about things we cannot control. We suffer because we cannot control these contingencies---nor prevent them from happening. We want to be shown exactly what the future looks like. We want to see the future so we can protect ourselves. Arm ourselves.

Such is what faith is made of. It is made of things that are not seen. It is the substance of things we hope for. It the the evidence of things we cannot see. Faith is moving along, hanging on--happily and hopefully through challenges and uncertainty.

Yet sometimes, if we look hard and seek, we begin to see the invisible. Clouds dissipate. The air is made clear. And we can see far off.

Sometimes we need to climb a mountain where the air may be thinner. Our lungs will have to work harder. Sometimes we have to wait in total darkness...in the cold. And then our patience is rewarded.

Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. (Hebrews 11:3)

There is an invisible portal through which we can see all things that are visible only to the heart and the spirit. High on the mountaintop, in Haleakala, I was reminded of the promises that I can see far off. And my heart took flight.

As we stepped back into our comfortable van, our guide announced that of the many times he had been to watch the sunrise at Haleakala, this morning's event ranked in the top 5% of the best. He was incredulous about how the air was so clear we could see the islands of Moloka'i, Lana'i, Kahoolawe and even clearly see the tops of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa--far away to the big island of Hawaii. I smiled a secret smile because what I saw far off was brighter and clearer than that.